Going After Work You Know You Won't Get

Years ago when I was more active on the acting end of theater, a voice teacher said, "Always audition, even if you aren't right for the part or don't want it." Auditioning well is critical in acting, and the more you do, the more comfortable you get in the process. Selling is like that as well. You don't want to waste too much time, but you also want to be practiced. If there is work you're sure you won't get, then you have the perfect chance to practice your technique. In the worst case, you don't lose anything by messing up because you didn't want it. And there's always that chance that it might come in. Just make sure it's not one of those assignments that you shouldn't take.